THE TALENT OF ONE

 

As I walked down the road from going to buy few items from city center, I tuned in to one of the local radio stations to catch up with the news of the day. As I listened on, the news was over and a gospel (Bible discussion) talk show ensued. I continued to follow the discussion when the team raised the issue of the officer who was given one talent in the parable of the talents. A man I would call "The Talent of One". As the discussion increased in tempo, I kept reminiscing the case of The Talent of One, particularly as one of the panel members highlighted that he considered his boss was … as he ascribed all sorts of unpalatable qualities to his boss.

 

For a moment, my mental excursions made me convinced that in life, when someone seek to say “that is how I see it” or “that is my view”, it becomes very challenging for another person to simply make claim that such a person is wrong. The radio discussion went on as I ruminated the case of The Talent of One. In principle, I do not agree with his attitude or actions but the discussion on the issue got me to think from his perspective because we often assess people from a prejudiced view. Essentially, the team in the radio station castigated, rebuked and chastised his behaviour as most of us would usually do. I debated with myself so to say that if that is how he sees it, why should we fault him for this? He could be right in a sense, but “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Pro. 14:12). I further compared the situation of The Talent of One with countless number of young men and women whose lives have been derailed because, supposedly, their parents didn’t do this or that for him. But to convinced these people that their point of view is detrimental to their lives, we have to make them see from where and how we see. As I tossed these thoughts on my mind, I smiled as I considered, “probably the Master had been smiling when The Talent of One continued with his fairy tale of lazy and myopic mentality.

 

In seeking to justify the point of view of The Talent of One and the validity of an argument of this nature, it will depend on three consequential factors but which are incongruent to his position on the matter. How may we assess his view in relation to whether or not it was right or wrong? Our value judgment should be on the bases of his decision, his actions and his outcomes. I will take a nose dive into these issues.

 

His Decision

His decision was premised on his world view, thought processes, perceptions and value judgment about people and situations. One’s worldview could be narrow, shallow, wide or in depth. A world could block an individual’s sense of judgment or open him/her up to see the bigger picture or brighter side of life. One’s worldview could be eclectic (eklektikos) or eccentric (ékkentros). One’s world view has strong influence on his belief system; value placed on life, on relationships, and general dispositions. Generally, out thought processes affects the conclusions we arrive at. An excited and positive individual will be positive in the generations of his thought even in the face of serious negative challenges. In terms of perceptions, some people seem to live in perceptions that are not aware of. They may think of themselves are fair, competent, hardworking, positive, futuristic, etc, but it may be otherwise. There are people who are also slaves to negative mentality (my friend describes as black mind, black mentality), low self-esteem, unappreciative and possess weak minds. Our value judgments drive us to make conclusions from what is and what ought to be. The Talent of One, in his own words gives an answer that is a direct reflection of what informed his decision “And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. (Mathew 25:25).    The decision of the Talent of One as can be judged by his world view, perceptions, value judgments and thought processes can be observed in how he decided to not allow anyone to make gains through his efforts, which might not be bad in itself if he had the mind of an entrepreneur; he also decided to not invest the resources he was given; he also made up his mind to not save the money and finally, he decided to hid the resource that was bequeathed to him.

His Actions

Next, I will delve into his action(s). The Talent of One could be justified or not beyond his decision by evaluating his action(s) that followed. An action should be leading to a positive or negative outcome. In this case, an action also involves inaction, which is a direct interpretation of his decision to execute corresponding actions or otherwise. There were several options available to him “Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.” (Mat 25:27). From the foregoing, he rather chose a path of no action – a negative path. But, why did he choose the path of negative returns? Obviously, his ability to make right decisions was faulty. This may raise questions about his purpose and vision in life, as well as his level of competency. Probably, he was a sweet talker that generated some level of trust in his abilities and capabilities from his superiors. As experienced as his boss was, he was given a little resource – the one talent – to prove his level of competency. From a weak mind, negative self-esteem and myopic view of life, his action speaks volumes. His attitude, based on his action reveals a man that will go any length to justify his action in the court of blame game and sentimentalism. How smart can he describe himself if the best action he took in the circumstance was that “… he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. (Matthew 25:18).  Summarily, his action could be considered a defeatist, impoverished-driven, lazy and wicked.

 

His Results

Finally, what were the results of his actions? Could the outcomes justify his decision and actions that were hatched and implemented? The effect of his decision and actions is what can be mathematically described as Cos90 “Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.” (Matthew 25:28). He displayed incompetence, wickedness and laziness in the sense that having ascribed stinginess, meanness, opportunistic tendencies and being austere; he had nothing to prove his level of productivity “His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:” (Matthew 25:26). Unfortunately, he did not weigh the impact of his decisions and actions. This goes to emphasize his poor sense of judgment.

 

In life, it is not enough to hold a view. Whilst you are entitled to your view, check the outcomes or possible results of your view or perceptions. You can have one of two outcomes, which invariably could make your life richer or poorer, better or worse. The deception in the reality of success in life is that, one can enjoy all the goods of this life but his/her life has no eternal value. Most of us yearn for good life, which is right. This calls for being decisive and taking positive actions. We need to develop good values in life and about people. Whilst the Talent of One did not complain about his inability to afford the necessities of life, he received a more serious and damaging punishment aside the resource that was retrieved from him, which was to the effect that “… cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mat 25:30).

 

The implication is that our decisions and corresponding actions in life have eternal consequences. Do not pride yourself in the achievements of this life when you are destitute of spiritual resources. This is well captured in Romans 11:25 “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” and Romans12:16 “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

 

You decisions and actions matter to the results you shall receive. Don’t blame anyone for your failure!

 

Ernest Kwame Affum, PhD.

Lecturer |Mentor |Author |Trainer

Ernest is a lecturer in the Department of Management Studies at the University of Mines and Technology in Ghana. He is the author of EKs Quotes Life Tunes Vol. I and II. He is also the founder of EDaMP and a regular public speaker. 

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